Tupac's Mum Afeni Shakur Died At Age 69

Afeni Shakur, mother of Tupac died late Monday night. The rapper’s mom was famously honored and immortalized in Pac’s song “Dear Mama,” an honest ode about her impact and their relationship, on his 1995 album, Me Against the World.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the news Tuesday morning (May 3) on Twitter, reporting that she died shortly after being transported to the hospital after they responded to a call about a possible cardiac arrest at her Northern California home. She was 69 years old.

Afeni’s influence on the legendary rapper stretched far beyond “Dear Mama,” though. A political activist and former member of the Black Panthers, Afeni was essential in informing Pac’s revolutionary spirit and worldview.

In the years following her son’s death, Afeni, born Alice Faye Williams, founded the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation as well as Amaru Entertainment, which was responsible for his posthumous album releases and the documentary Tupac: Resurrection.